Birth of Last Imam as Reminder of his Presence

Imam Mahdi (A.S.), the promised Mahdi, who is usually mentioned by his title of Imam al-Asr, was born on the 15^th of Shaban, 255 AH early in the morning at the Azan time in the city of Samara. In Iran and around the world the Shia Muslims celebrate the birthday of Imam Mahdi with great enthusiasm, joy and happiness. During this festival the streets are decorated with many lights and beautiful ornaments coupled with religious banners. While celebrating, people listen to the religious sermons which are held in many places.

 In Islamic theology, Imam Mahdi-, in English the Guided One- is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will one day rule the world; however, he is in Occultation at the present time. When the world is totally ruled by injustice and criminality, then Mahdi (AS) will come and get rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny. In Shiite belief Mahdi (A.S) is a "central religious idea" and referred to as the Twelfth Imam, Mohammad al-Mahdi (A.S), whose return from occultation is believed as the second coming of the Mahdi.

"Mo’tamed Abbasi" who was the ruler of the time of Imam Mahdi heard a lot about the 12^th Imam and his revolution which would eliminate cruel kingdoms and replace them with a divine government and he also knew that this Imam would be Imam Askari's son. So, he put some spies in his house to report Imam Mahdi's birthday and kill him. His act was like what Nimrod and Pharaoh wanted to do with Prophet Abraham and Prophet Moses and like both of them he couldn't do it as well. That was because God wants him alive, just like those prophets, interestingly enough his mother didn't look as a pregnant woman during her pregnancy period so his birth was clandestine and he grew up in secret.

Some authentic Hadiths say about Imam al-Asr:

* Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) said:" The Mahdi is the protector of the knowledge, the heir to the knowledge of all the prophets, and is aware of all things." (Bihar al-Anwar: 95: 378; 102: 67, 117)

* People will flee from him "the Mahdi" as sheep flee from the shepherd. Later, people will begin to look for a purifier. But since they can find none to help them but him, they will begin to run to him. (Bihar al-Anwar: 52: 326)

* When matters are entrusted to competent "the Mahdi", the Almighty God will raise the lowest part of the world for him, and lower the highest places. So much that he will see the whole world as if in the palm of his hand. (Bihar al-Anwar: 5: 328)